Aug. 31, 2009
Rachel Prucey
Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif.
650.604.0643
Rachel.L.Prucey@nasa.gov
Luisa Fernanda Zambrano
International Space University
650-930-0667
luisafzambrano@ssp09.isunet.edu
Denise Vardakas
Singularity University, Moffett Field, Calif.
650-483-5083
denise@theconversationgroup.com
RELEASE: 09-110AR
UNIVERSITY PROGRAMS, STUDENTS SOAR TO NEW HEIGHTS AT NASA AMES
MOFFETT FIELD, Calif. -- After nine weeks of intense lessons, robotic
and rocket competitions and rubbing elbows with NASA scientists,
industry experts and entrepreneurs, students at International Space
University (ISU) Space Studies Program (SSP) 2009 and Singularity
University (SU) shared their final evening together and participated
in their university's closing ceremonies on Friday, Aug. 28, 2009 at
NASA's Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif.
During the SU closing ceremony, the inaugural class of Graduate
Studies Program students presented their team projects, representing
the culmination of a summer’s worth of work and collaboration. Later
in the day, the 22nd annual ISU SSP students were presented with
certificates of participation and awards for robotics and rocket
launch competitions.
"It was a great pleasure to have such a vibrant group be part of the
Ames community this summer," said S. Pete Worden, Ames director. "I
hope they take a little bit of NASA back to their home countries and
organizations and in their absence, we'll keep their spirit alive
here at NASA Ames."
When the ISU and SU students and a cadre of distinguished professors
from nearly 40 countries arrived at NASA Ames, they put their
abilities to the test by designing and presenting a proposed space
mission and seeking ways to solve humanity's grand challenges.
Students toured wind tunnels, supercomputing and simulation
facilities, heard about the latest Ames projects and shared their
ideas about space and exploration with NASA researchers.
"The 22nd session of the SSP, the first ever to convene at a NASA
Center, set a record in terms of the number of different countries
represented at 35," said Angie Bukley, ISU’s associate dean and SSP
site director. "Our students were provided many unique opportunities
and were part of what is no doubt one of the most memorable ISU
summer programs ever."
The International Space University was founded in 1987, with a vision
of a peaceful and prosperous future through the study, exploration
and development of space for the benefit of humanity. The space
studies program is a nine-week course for postgraduate students and
young professionals from all over the world. The curriculum covers
technical and non-technical, space-related fields and ranges from
engineering and satellite applications to policy and the humanities.
“NASA Ames provided the perfect venue to foster creativity and
innovation for the inaugural Graduate Studies Program, and it is a
wonderful environment for Singularity University to grow,” said Salim
Ismail, executive director of SU. “This was a very special summer
that created deep bonds between the students and staff, and we look
forward to the great things that will come from this group.”
For SU’s Graduate Studies Program, the closing ceremony symbolized the
end of a journey. After spending a summer working, learning and
expanding their possibilities, the SU feels that it has achieved its
goal to assemble, educate and inspire a cadre of accomplished
leaders.
Singularity University is a new academic institution, with a goal of
preparing the next generation of leaders to address “humanity’s grand
challenges.” The Graduate Studies Program is a nine-week
graduate-level interdisciplinary curriculum designed to facilitate
understanding, collaboration, and innovation across a broad range of
carefully chosen scientific and technological disciplines whose
developments are exponentially accelerating.
For more information about the International Space University, visit:
http://www.isunet.edu
For more information about the Singularity University, visit:
http://singularityu.org
For more information about NASA's Ames, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/ames
For information about NASA’s Education programs, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/education
-end-